Substance Use, Abuse, and Dependence among Youths Who Have Been in a Jail or a Detention Center

摘要

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), formerly the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), asks persons aged 12 or older to report their use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs during the year prior to the interview. Any illicit drug refers to marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used nonmedically. The survey also asks youths aged 12 to 17 if they have ever been in jail or in a detention center. Past research has shown that rates of substance use and dependence are substantial among youths with criminal justice experience. In NSDUH, abuse and dependence of alcohol and illicit drugs are defined using criteria specified in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). This report focuses on the substance use, abuse, and dependence rates among youths aged 12 to 17. Responses were analyzed by gender and race/ethnicity for comparative purposes.